have a dog in the fight

/hav ɐ dˈɒɡ ɪnðə fˈaɪt/

/hæv ɐ dˈɑːɡ ɪnðə fˈaɪt/

[phrase]

to have a dog in the fight

[PHRASE]

to have an interest in the outcome of a particular situation

to [have] a dog in the fight definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "have a dog in the fight" and when to use it?

The phrase "have a dog in the fight" comes from a violent and illegal activity called dogfighting, where two dogs are made to fight each other for entertainment. In dogfighting some people have personal interest in the outcome of the dogfight, either because they own one of the dogs or because they have made a bet on the outcome. Over time, the phrase "have a dog in the fight" has been used in different situations to mean that someone has a personal interest in the outcome of an event or decision.

Nearby words

have a cow

have a bun in the oven

have a bath

have a bash

have

have a dog in the race

have a fit

have a go

have a good pair of lungs

have a good time